Living A Fitness-Based Lifestyle Is A Privilege

When I first started in fitness, I thought it was as simple as working out and eating right. To me, I thought that by doing the workouts these women or men posted on social media and eating a diet of mostly healthy foods, I could obtain their bodies and make mine the best that it could be. But that's not always possible, and it wasn't until I was introduced to the world of supplements and the time demand of fitness that I realized something.

Living a fitness-based lifestyle is a privilege.

Healthy all organic foods, protein bars and powders, BCAAs, pre-workouts, and so much more are just some of the supplements that certain social media fitness influencers use to develop their toned figures. Once they become popular enough, they sometimes get these products for free due to sponsorship or partnership. However, if these products aren't given for free, what's the real cost?

Now I can't speak for specific numbers or for the lifestyle of others, but I can speak for my own.

Each month I purchase multiple tubs of protein powder, BCAAs, Pre-Workout, Vegan and Gluten Free Grocery Items, Electrolyte supplements, and more, the list is extensive. Not everyone can afford these supplements or can afford to workout multiple hours a day, and let me tell you that the price of this lifestyle is expensive. One tub of each supplement is anywhere from $30 to $40, or sometimes more. Buying multiple products, multiple times a month, the math is simple.

So why should those who do not have the privilege of this lifestyle compare themselves to those who do? Well, they shouldn't.

I tried living a fit lifestyle as cheap as possible in the beginning, no supplements or extra help. It was difficult and took an extremely long time. Yes, I got results, but it wasn't until I added in these extra supplements that I began to physically see muscle growth, or even began to see the hint of definition like Instagram influencers. It is not easy to get those results without supplements or spending hours in the gym. It is not cheap to live organically, and locally, or purchase sustainable products.

So please, DO NOT, compare yourself to those who have the privilege of this life.

If you have to work 80 hours this week and you don't have time to eat healthily or go to the gym, THAT'S OK. If you have to save money to pay for insurance or bills and you have to buy a $1 burger instead of a $10 salad this week, THAT'S OK. Do your best to take care of you, your body, and your health, but you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to be like the people on Instagram, the best thing you can do is to just BE YOU.

Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are two of baseball's greatest rising stars, and fans and teams were waiting for the 2018-2019 offseason where both Machado and Harper were going to be on the free-agent market. Throughout the offseason, neither superstar had signed a contract yet, and as time got closer for players to report to Florida, and Arizona for spring training. After the two were able to sign their respective contract, now people are wondering which player will be able to win their first World Series trophy with their new team.

Throughout the MLB offseason, reporters and fans have been drooling to see what contracts two of the biggest free agents in recent memory would receive this year.

As the winter months came and went, neither Machado or Harper had a job for the 2019 MLB season, and when pitchers and catchers reported to camp, the thought actually occurred that Machado or Harper would have to be bagging groceries when it came to Opening Day. As the old saying goes, once the first domino falls, the rest come crashing down, and on February 20th, 2019 the San Diego Padres signed Manny Machado to a 10 year, $300 million deal. Eight days later the Philadelphia Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a 13 year $330 million deal. Both Machado and Harper had opportunities to win with their previous teams, neither was able to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy.

While the Padres are "a few years away" from contending to win, we saw this year where the Atlanta Braves were able to expedite the process by bringing farm talent to the big leagues. The Phillies, on the other hand, are in a win now scenario, with stars like Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Nola, and Jake Arrieta, they have the chance to contend for the NL East and possibly a World Series title.

So, which star will be the first to get their rings fitted?

Bryce Harper, while Machado is an incredible player, he will have to go through the Colorado Rockies, which just extend future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado and the Los Angeles Dodgers who will always contend for World Series titles. Harper, on the other hand, is going to a team that was one piece away from taking the division home a year ago, while it looks like Harper's former team the Washington Nationals will rebound after a mediocre year in their standards, and the aforementioned Atlanta Braves are the reigning division champs.

If the Phillies can get star pitcher Jake Arrieta back to CY Young form, and with the addition of veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Phillies are in a great scenario to win the World Series for the first time since 2008.

While by no means is the contract Harper got favorable to the Phillies, they knew that Harper was the missing piece to win the World Series. Also, I'm not saying Machado and the Padres aren't going to contend for World Series in the future, just not as soon as the Phillies are. Now, if the Padres can pick up a star pitcher to have a stranglehold on their rotation *cough, cough Dallas Keuchel* then possibly they can contend for World Series in 2-3 years. But, as everything stands right now the Philadelphia Phillies, along with Bryce Harper are on their way to win a World Series before the San Diego Padres with Manny Machado.